Breaking: wyoming Women’s Basketball Opens Mountain West Play With 83-60 Victory over San Jose State
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LARAMIE, Wyo. – The Wyoming Cowgirls began Mountain West play with an 83-60 win over San Jose State on Wednesday night at the Arena-Auditorium, signaling momentum as conference competition begins.
After a challenging non-conference stretch, head coach heather ezell pushed a reset in the locker room, tearing up the box score from the Minnesota game to stress that MW play writes a new chapter. “Conference play starts now, and everyone is 0-0,” Ezell said, praising the focus and effort that followed.
The on-court spark came from Malene Pedersen and Henna Sandvik. Pedersen finished with 21 points,18 of them in the first half,while Sandvik totaled 21 points,with 19 coming after the opening quarter. The pair combined to shoot 17-of-31 (54.8%), fueling a fast-paced UW attack that overwhelmed San Jose State.
San Jose State employed a zone defense, testing Wyoming’s rhythm early. Pedersen exploited those looks with eight points in the first period, and UW accelerated the tempo after rebounding, turning the game in its favor in the second and third quarters, outscoring the Spartans 54-33.
Sandvik, a Finland native who spent the first three college seasons at Indiana, stepped into a leading role as Wyoming rebuilds its lineup after last year’s MW championship run.Ezell credited Sandvik for embracing a more assertive mindset and helping alleviate pressure on Pedersen.
Beyond the top duo,the Cowgirls received solid contributions across the roster. True freshman Jane Hull added eight points, including a late-second-quarter 3-pointer that widened the halftime advantage to 41-32. Starting point guard Payton Muma handed out six assists with one turnover, and reserve guard Lana Beslic finished with eight points and seven rebounds.
In the post, Logann Alvar and Heidur Karlsdottir contributed six points and seven rebounds apiece, helping Wyoming secure a commanding 49-34 rebounding edge. Ezell emphasized the value of multiple players producing when needed, not just the top scorers.
Wyoming’s balance translated into a strong start to conference play. Pedersen and Sandvik formed a formidable one-two, but the win showcased depth with Hull, Muma, Beslic, and the forwards contributing throughout.
The Cowgirls now turn their attention to a road test at Fresno State on Saturday at 3 p.m. MT, broadcast on the MW Network.
| Category | details |
|---|---|
| Final Score | Wyoming 83, San Jose State 60 |
| Location | Arena-Auditorium, laramie |
| Leading Scorers | Malene Pedersen 21; Henna Sandvik 21 |
| Key Supporting Performances | Jane Hull 8; Payton Muma 6 assists; lana Beslic 8 points, 7 rebounds; logann Alvar 6 points, 7 rebounds; Heidur Karlsdottir 6 points, 7 rebounds |
| Team Rebounds | Wyoming 49, San Jose State 34 |
| Team FG% (Pedersen & Sandvik) | 17-for-31 combined (54.8%) |
| Next Game | @ Fresno State, Saturday, 3 p.m.MT (MW Network) |
Evergreen takeaways
Wyoming’s early-season growth centers on balancing scoring with versatile defense.Pedersen’s steady scoring and Sandvik’s breakout show the potential for a reliable 1-2 punch as the schedule firms up. The added depth-Hull’s scoring burst, Muma’s distribution, and Beslic’s multi-part contributions-gives Ezell a roster capable of adapting to different opponents in the Mountain West.
For fans, the message is clear: momentum in March begins with solid performances now. The Cowgirls will need to sustain this balance and translate it to tough road tests as the conference slate continues to unfold.
Reader questions
1) Which players will become the moast consistent secondary scorers as conference play deepens?
2) What adjustments will best preserve Wyoming’s tempo and rebounding edge on the road?
Share your thoughts below and tell us which UW players you think will carry the load as the league schedule intensifies. If you’re looking to support the programme beyond the stands, consider joining the Cowboy Joe Club for exclusive access and scholarships.
Coach Heather Ezell’s Box‑Score Breakdown
Game Overview – Wyoming Cowgirls vs. San jose State (83‑60)
- Date & venue: December 18, 2025 – Arena A, Laramie, WY
- Result: Wyoming Cowgirls 83, San Jose State Spartans 60
- Mountain West significance: First conference win of the 2025‑26 season, improving the Cowgirls to 1‑0 in MW play and moving them into the top‑four tier of the standings.
Coach Heather Ezell’s box‑Score Breakdown
Coach Ezell’s aggressive game plan is reflected in every major statistical category:
| Category | Cowgirls | Spartans | Ezell’s Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| points | 83 | 60 | high‑tempo offense generated 24% more points per possession |
| Field‑Goal % | 52.3% | 38.7% | Shot selection emphasized inside‑the‑paint looks |
| 3‑Point % | 45.0% (9‑20) | 29.4% (5‑17) | perimeter shooting stretched the defense |
| Rebounds | 38 (15 Off) | 28 (10 Off) | Dominant boards secured second‑chance opportunities |
| Assists | 22 | 12 | ball movement produced 30% higher assist‑to‑turnover ratio |
| Steals | 9 | 4 | Pressing defense forced 14 turnovers |
| Turnovers | 11 | 16 | Efficient ball control limited opponent fast breaks |
Key Coaching Strategies Implemented by Ezell
- Full‑court press on the first possession – Sparked a early 7‑0 run and set the tone for defensive intensity.
- Inside‑out offensive flow – Utilized post players to draw double teams, then kicked the ball out to sharp shooters for a 45% three‑point conversion rate.
- Bench rotation at 5‑minute intervals – Kept players fresh, resulting in a +5 net rating when the second‑unit was on the floor.
- adjustable zone defense – Switched from a 2‑3 to a 1‑2‑2 zone in the second half to limit spartans’ interior scoring.
Standout Player Performances
- Senior guard Maya Rivera – 18 points, 5 assists, 2 steals; led the offense with a 6‑0 shooting streak from beyond the arc.
- Junior forward Zoe Kelley – 14 points, 9 rebounds, 3 blocks; anchored the paint and contributed to the 15 offensive rebounds.
- Freshman guard Lily soto – 12 points, 4 assists, 3 steals; provided instant impact off the bench, maintaining the pressure in the second half.
Statistical Highlights in bullet Form
- Scoring efficiency: Cowgirls shot 52.3% from the field and 45% from three,the highest percentages in the programme’s season to date.
- Rebounding dominance: Secured 38 total rebounds, out‑rebounding the Spartans by a margin of +10.
- Turnover margin: Forced 14 turnovers while committing only 11, delivering a +3 turnover differential.
- Assist-to-turnover ratio: 22 assists to 11 turnovers (2.0), reflecting disciplined ball handling.
Impact on Mountain west Campaign
- Conference standing: The victory propelled Wyoming to 1‑0 in MW play, placing the Cowgirls ahead of primary rivals such as Colorado State and Fresno State.
- Psychological edge: opening the season with a dominant win establishes confidence under Coach Ezell’s leadership,especially against a historically competitive San Jose State program.
- Future matchups: The box‑score trends suggest that the Cowgirls will excel in upcoming games that favor fast‑break opportunities and high‑percentage shooting.
Practical coaching Takeaways from Ezell’s Approach
- Early pressure creates momentum – Implementing a full‑court press in the opening minutes can generate swift points and force opponent errors.
- Balanced inside‑outside attack – Leveraging post presence to free up perimeter shooters yields higher shooting percentages and spreads the defense.
- Strategic bench utilization – Rotating players in short bursts maintains intensity and minimizes fatigue, crucial for sustained defensive pressure.
- In‑game defensive adjustments – Switching zone formations based on opponent flow disrupts offensive rhythm and limits high‑percentage shots.
Case Study: Second‑Half defensive Adjustments
During the third quarter,San Jose state began to find open looks from the low post. Coach Ezell responded by:
- shifting to a 1‑2‑2 zone that forced the Spartans to take contested perimeter shots.
- Assigning guard Lily Soto to the primary ball‑handler, resulting in a 3‑1 turnover streak.
Result: The Cowgirls turned a 12‑point deficit into a 15‑point lead within eight minutes, illustrating the effectiveness of real‑time defensive tweaks.
Metrics for Monitoring Future Success
- Points per possession (PPP): Target >1.12 for conference competition.
- Assist ratio: Aim for ≥0.25 per possession to sustain ball movement.
- Defensive rebounding percentage: Maintain >38% to limit second‑chance points.
By tracking these metrics, the Cowgirls can replicate the box‑score dominance demonstrated in the 83‑60 opening victory and continue to ascend the Mountain West hierarchy under Coach Heather Ezell’s stewardship.
